Quick: what’s the most colorful type of whale? Blue? Orca? Amazon river dolphin? You probably didn’t say “the gray whale,” which, as its name suggests, is mostly gray. 

But one Oregon gray whale belied this reputation last week when it shot a full rainbow out of its blowhole.

In a video from Youtube user GoldenGuelch, whale watchers traveling through Depoe Bay ooh and ahh at the massive cetacean, who lingers next to the boat, just below the surface. He then rises up slowly and blows, leaving a colorful band in his wake. The rainbow hovers for a few seconds before it dissipates—and the gray whale returns to the murky sea.

Every day, we track down a fleeting wonder—something amazing that’s only happening right now. Have a tip for us? Tell us about it! Send your temporary miracles to cara@atlasobscura.com.